LABOUR MPs were rallying round new party leader Ed Miliband last night after he triumphed over his brother in a knife-edge leadership election.

LABOUR MPs were rallying round new party leader Ed Miliband last night after he triumphed over his brother in a knife-edge leadership election.

Mr Miliband, 40, narrowly beat big brother David, 45, to take over as leader of the opposition after he edged 50.65 per cent of votes compared to the former Foreign Secretary’s 49.35 per cent.

The left wing younger sibling was only able to win thanks to huge support from trade unionists – while his older brother enjoyed more support among Labour Party members and MPs.Miliband junior received a rapturous welcome from party activists at Labour’s annual conference in Manchester, where he said: “A new generation has stepped forward to serve our party”.

Midland MPs were quick to lend their support to the former Energy and Climate Change Secretary’s leadership.

Richard Burden, who represents Birmingham Northfield, said: “I supported David but I recognise Ed’s qualities and he is someone we will all get behind.” Fellow backbencher Jack Dromey, MP for Erdington, was an early supporter of Ed, and said: “He will lead a great national movement of a united Labour Party and a country angry at what this government is doing.”

Under the complicated system used to choose a new Labour leader, voters included party members, MPs and members of affiliated bodies such as trade unions. A full breakdown of the results showed that David Miliband had more support among MPs and party members – but Ed Miliband edged in front because he won the support of the influential trade unionists.

Speaking to delegates last night, new leader Ed said Labour had to understand why it lost the last election.

“I get it that people felt they were working long hours without reward and felt we weren’t properly on their side,” he told the party faithful.

“I get it that people weren’t prejudiced about immigration, people felt anxious and insecure about their wages and conditions and housing. I get it and I understand the need to change.

“I have to unify this party and I will. We have to inspire people with our vision of the good society.” While Ed celebrated, his big brother faced questions about the future of his political career.

The former Foreign Secretary was seen as the candidate most likely to carry on the “New Labour” policies of ex-Prime Minister Tony Blair – his mentor and close friend. But he gained a reputation for dithering after he apparently considered challenging former Prime Minister Gordon Brown for the leadership last year, but then got cold feet before the general election.

He entered this leadership contest as the favourite and it is unlikely there will be another opportunity for him to challenge for the top job as a credible candidate. While the two Milibands were neck and neck, the remaining challengers fell far behind when the final votes were tallied.

They included Ed Balls, the former Education Secretary who was a close ally of Gordon Brown, Andy Burnham, the former Health Secretary, and Diane Abbott, the left-wing backbench MP and TV presenter.

Unison general secretary Dave Prentis said last night: “Under Ed’s leadership, Labour must offer an alternative economic strategy, promoting growth and recovery, together with fairness.

“This means protecting the poor, the sick and the vulnerable from the fall-out of this banker’s recession.”